This tale includes them all and even has enough home cooking to keep foodies happy. Today, north platte is served only by freight trains, but during world war ii the city was famous for the north platte canteen. This new edition features a new cover and a new foreword detailing recent events regarding the canteen. Then their bellies and hearts were filled in north platte. Otto perry and the union pacific nebraska division by michael m. Every day of the year, every day of the war, the canteenstaffed and funded entirely by local volunteerswas open from five a. The story of the north platte, nebraska canteen is heartwarming. It is located in the westcentral part of the state, along interstate 80, at the confluence of the north and south platte rivers forming the platte river. When the train arrived, it was a kansas national guard troop, but they shared their gifts anyway. This year, on june 18th and 19th, the spirit of the north platte canteen carried on. Dec 07, 2016 at this bustling nebraska railroad hub, volunteers mostly women greeted and fed about 6 million soldiers. The salt at this bustling nebraska railroad hub, volunteers mostly women greeted and fed about 6 million soldiers.
The north platte canteen lincoln county historical museum. The north platte canteen also known as the service mens canteen in the union pacific railroad station at north platte was a railroad stop manned by local citizens of north platte, nebraska, united states that operated from christmas day 1941 to april 1, 1946. Rae wilson sleight 19161986 started the north platte canteen in december of 1941. The salt at this bustling nebraska railroad hub, volunteers mostly women. But the steady, pounding drumbeat throughout north platte s song is the sound of trains rolling on the tracks. Well, on december 25, 1941, just 18 days after pearl harbor, the women of north platte realized that many troop trains were stopping through their nebraska town crossing over to the pacific side of the u. The miracle of the north platte canteen 9780060081973. Finally, with few troop trains arriving, on april 1, 1946, it was determined that the canteen should close its doors. We are your source of news and information in north platte and we. The train didnt stop for long in north platte, neb. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. An estimated 500 friends, family, and community members lined up along the tracks at the north platte depot, their arms full of gifts for the soldiers like candy, food, and. Mcpherson, now home of a national cemetery for veterans.
The north platte canteen holocaust books, north platte, pearl harbor. Bob greene interweaves narratives of so journs in north platte, local history, and sto ries of the canteen culled from interviews often tearful, one calling him to go on record the day before surgery with those who. It all began on december 17, 1941 in the town of north platte, nebraska. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading once upon a town. Chicago tribune columnist greene duty provides a moving, detailed remembrance of north platte, neb. Dec 02, 2011 denis hurst performs his own song telling the inspiring story of north platte canteen. The shootoutrobbery, dinner menu, and both tours can be customized for any group. North platte honky tonk bbq festival, may 7 and 8, 2010 at the wild west arena. Tens of thousands citation needed of volunteers from north platte and surrounding towns met the troop trains passing through north platte, offering coffee. Finally, with few troop trains arriving, on april 1, 1946, it was. More than 700 service men and women stopped in north platte on a quick layover on their way to deployment.
The museum endeavors to reach the broadest range of the public to educate about the historical significance of west central nebraska and the platte river valley. But the steady, pounding drumbeat throughout north plattes song is the sound of trains rolling on the tracks. The canteen spirit chronicles the story of the world war ii north platte canteen, which made history when residents of 125 communities from across the state greeted millions of soldiers over a nearly fiveyear period, as their trains made a tenminute stop at the north platte depot. The story of the north platte, nebraska canteen is. During almost 50 years as a reporter at the north platte telegraph, sharron hollen wrote many stories on the canteen, including dozens of interviews with world war ii veterans who wrote letters of thanks to the town decades later. Miller, an easterner, partners in a road ranch at willow island in what became dawson county, acting on information that the union pacific would establish an important division point just west of the junction of the rivers, moved there and built a general store. Still, there are many books, movies, and firsthand stories to remind us just. Using the story of the north platte canteen, i wanted to combine the audio story and the visual pictures to capture the power of an idea and the building of a movement. The miracle of the north platte canteen from the worlds largest community of readers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading once upon a. Jan 06, 2020 the museum is not just the wonderful north platte canteen exhibit, but that is the showpiece of this exciting chronicle of the history of the area. All hell cant stop us looks at the important role nebrasks. Union pacific railroads large bailey yard is located within the city. Comprised of volunteers, the canteen served over 6 million soldiers at the north platte railroad station.
The miracle of the north platte canteen bob greene morrow new york 2002 the art spirit. Tankin in nebraska north platte, north platte nebraska. The steaks arent the caliber of omaha steakhouses but theyre great for north platte. North platte community college bookstore apparel, merchandise. The canteen spirit tells the moving story of the north platte canteen, where residents of 125 nebraska towns gathered to offer food and support to millions of gis passing through north platte. Every day, from 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers, sailors and marines visited the north platte canteen in the union pacific station. As the soldiers came home they were able to find the same hospitality as before.
There are few train pictures in this book, it is mostly about the people of the time and shows the locals and the troops getting together for a short time during world war two. Theirs was a service was in the form of midwestern, small town hospitality and it was fondly remembered by those who went through there on there way to war during those difficult and trying years. See more ideas about north platte, county seat and nebraska. North platte is a city in and the county seat of lincoln county, nebraska, united states. During a 10minute stop, they were supplied with coffee, sandwiches and cigarettes, given a handful of current magazines and sent on their way, warmed not only by the hot. North platte canteen highlights what still persists as one of the most endearing examples of gratitude expressed toward those who have served in americas defense. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. The trains delivered north platte rail town usa, with the cody park railroad museum, and the eightstory golden spike tower that watches over union pacifics 8milelong bailey yard, the largest railroad complex in the world. The tiny town, wanting to offer the servicemen warmth and support, transformed its modest railroad depot into the north platte canteen.
The north platte canteen was one of the largest volunteer efforts of world war ii. There are many railroad tales in nebraska, but the most moving story of all is the inspiring and patriotic deeds of those female volunteers at the north platte. The north platte telegraph is the official newspaper of lincoln county, nebraska. We also have post sites in alliancechadron, hays, manhattan, junction city, salina, great. A town of great heart, devotion, patriotism, nebraska grit i love this reminder of years gone by. Dec 29, 2017 north platte, nebraska was founded in 1868 as the union pacific pushed west during the great railroad building years. See more ideas about north platte, nebraska and pearl harbor. The north platte canteen was a lunch counter at the union pacific railroad station where volunteersalmost all womenprovided food, cigarettes and magazines to soldiers. At this bustling nebraska railroad hub, volunteers mostly women greeted and fed about 6 million soldiers. The north platte canteen was a railroad stop manned by local citizens of north platte, nebraska, united states that operated from christmas day 1941 to april 1, 1946. It is located in the southwestern part of the state, along interstate 80, at the confluence of the north and south platte rivers forming the platte river. Their efforts were even noticed by president roosevelt. North platte rail fest, scheduled for september 18, 19 and 20 2009, the rail fest will celebrate the importance of union pacific railroad to the community of north platte, the settlement of the nation and the economy of the state and nation. Experience the incredible hospitality of the north platte world war ii canteen, americas most heartwarming homefront story.
The north platte canteen was just another of the ways that americans found to serve in the war effort. Once upon a town is the true story of the north platte canteen. Gradually, word of what was happening in north platte spread from serviceman to serviceman during the war, and on the long train rides across the country the soldiers came to know that, out there on the nebraska flatlands, the north platte canteen was waiting for them. The story of these women, men, girls and boys of the north platte area is told many years later by the syndicated columnist for the chicago tribune, bob greene. Today, north platte is the county seat for lincoln county nebraska and has a population of about 25,000 people. Welcome to the lincoln county historical museum website.
The miracle of the north platte canteen once upon a town. I would say the canteen is probably the best overall restaurant in. They have a decent winebeer list and good service too. The north platte canteen is an example of that kind of unselfish love that knows no bounds. The museum is not just the wonderful north platte canteen exhibit, but that is the showpiece of this exciting chronicle of the history of the area. The following article appeared in the north platte telegraph monday, september 17, 1973 and is reproduced here with their permission to 6 million troops, canteen was a few fleeting moments of home there was hope, then disappointment, then genuine pleasure all in the space of a few hours on dec. Residents of north platte got word that a train full of nebraska army national guard members would be rolling through town on its way to camp joseph t.
World war ii veterans remember north platte canteen west. When the greatest generation passed through north platte, nebraska during wwii, they got a hug and a handshake, homemade cakes and cookies, and a moment of respite and prayer provided by thousands of volunteers from the surrounding communities. Canteen workers provided sandwiches, cakes, cookies, hard. The trains delivered north platte rail town usa, with the cody park railroad museum, and the eight story golden spike tower that watches over union pacifics 8milelong bailey yard, the largest railroad complex in the world. In the summer of 1868 william peniston, from yorkshire, england, and a. This was the beginning of the north platte canteen.
The miracle of the north platte canteen bob greene on. And the taste of those home front meals was a comfort to troops on the battlefield. Denis hurst performs his own song telling the inspiring story of north platte canteen. This is the story of north platte, nebraska during world war ii. The north platte canteen also known as the service mens canteen in the union pacific railroad station at north platte was a railroad stop manned by local citizens of north platte, nebraska, united states that operated from christmas day 1941 to april 1, 1946 located along the tracks of the union pacific railroad, its purpose was to provide refreshments and hospitality to soldiers who were. North platte, ne 69101 map the north platte telegraph is the official newspaper of lincoln county, nebraska. Jul 23, 2016 residents of north platte got word that a train full of nebraska army national guard members would be rolling through town on its way to camp joseph t. There were mothers preparing snacks and gifts, sweethearts primping to see their beaus, and family members swelling with pride and. The miracle of the north platte canteen bob greene, author.
The people of north platte made those ten minutes count. Learning about the north platte canteen at the lincoln county museum to write an epic novel, typical themes included are adventure, selfsacrifice, heroism and even a bit of romance. There are a number of wonderful buildings on the property, including the original restored command building from ft. Located along the tracks of the union pacific railroad, its purpose was to provide refreshments and hospitality to soldiers who were traveling through the area on the way to war during their ten to fifteenminute stopovers. This website is designed to introduce you to our rich history. The north platte canteen experience visit north platte. The history of this nebraska town will warm your heart by the end of the war, the north platte canteen had. His sensitivity and interest in the folks who brought about this miracle in the privations of wartime shows through at every paragraph. The miracle of the north platte canteen kindle edition by greene, bob. Learning about the north platte canteen at the lincoln.
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